Mercury spill keeps Marshall postal facility closed for over a week
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The U.S. Postal Service Network Distribution Center remains closed more than a week after a mercury spill suspended retail services at the Marshall facility.
The mail processing plant mainly handles packages mailed to and from Western Pennsylvania and some customers are still waiting to receive their mail.
“We still don’t have an estimate on when it will be open. Basically, we’re still ensuring the safety of our packages, of our people, of our community,” said U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman Karen Mazurkiewicz. “When the facility is deemed safe, and the packages are ready to be released, then we’ll share that information.”
The facility was shut down because a small mercury spill, approximately 1 ounce, spread out over a conveyor belt, said Lauren Fraley, community relations coordinator for the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“The Post Office is currently cleaning the exposed surfaces and collecting air quality readings. (It) will reopen as soon as they have air data that shows it is safe,” said Fraley. “The DEP is working with the Post Office on proper cleanup procedures and disposal of the collected wastes.”
The approximately 700 employees who normally report to that facility have been temporarily reassigned, Mazurkiewicz said. Customers were being directed to use either the Cranberry post office at 240 Executive Drive or the Wexford post office at 10675 Perry Highway.
“This is an ongoing event. The environmental contractors continue to work and are making progress. Our priority is the safety of our employees and customers,” said Mazurkiewicz.